PI’s Akeley Gallery features well-known Caribou artist
Staff photo/Joshua Archer
This painting of the State Street bridge section of downtown Presque Isle is one of the works exhibited by William Duncan of Caribou at the Akeley Gallery of the Turner Memorial Library.
By Joshua Archer
Special to the Star-Herald
When was the last time you took a moment to reflect? Perhaps the best place to do some soul searching is at your local library. On the first floor of Presque Isle’s public library is the Akeley Gallery, which opened its doors to Caribou artist William Lloyd Duncan last week.
More than 20 works of art painted by Duncan fill the small gallery for your viewing pleasure.
The first thing you might say after looking at Duncan’s art is “I know that place.” His gallery, titled “North Vs South”, depicts landscapes from Maine and Florida. His use of oil pastels over photographs gives an animated fuzziness to each landscape, almost like looking at a memory that fades away upon waking from a dream.
All of his images offer small windows into familiar realities that we’ve seen while traveling around The County or on summer vacations in the Sunshine State.
“My art reflects the surroundings back to neighbors. I love the conversations that start from recognition of specific places shown in the image,” Duncan said in an artist statement. “As an outsider, I take in surface appearances and make assumptions. However, by showing specific places in my art, I hope to encourage others to tell their stories.”
The Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library’s mission includes the call to be a cultural center. Having the Akeley Gallery in your backyard or just down the road close to home gives patrons the opportunity to soak up some of that local culture. It gives aspiring artists, be they young or weekend hobbyists, looking for inspiration a chance to peek over another artist’s shoulder.
Showing your work at an intimate gallery like Akeley’s can seem a little less intimidating when you’re looking for an opportunity to show and sell your work, according to Library Director Sonja Eyler.
“We try to say ‘yes’ to as many artists as we can say ‘yes’ to,” Eyler said.
The gallery features new artists almost every month and is booked until sometime next year. Artist-in-residence Clifton Boudman of Crouseville helps welcome and encourage the creative growth of artists willing to share their art.
The sale of art not only helps the local artist, but a portion goes back to help the library.
Artists are encouraged to reach out and apply for their own showing.
“North Vs South” will hold an artist reception on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The showing will continue through Sept. 29.
